After-Action Reports

Athena, the grey-eyed (or possibly owl-eyed) daughter of Zeus and Zeus' first wife Metis, whose name means "trickery." The big trick? Athena was a girl, and not a boy. Sort of. She was a boy in every way but two: by technicality, by which fact Zeus effectively dodged being dethroned by his legitimate son, and by the fact that she was cunning in war, rather than simply manly, like the decidedly more masculine Ares. Trickery is considered a "weak" or "feminine" virtue, but it's one which Athena and her followers put to good use.

Common History

Athena was regarded as the patron and protectress of various cities across Greece, particularly the city of Athens, from which she received her name.[3] She was known as Polias and Poliouchos (derived from polis, meaning "city-state"), and her temples were usually located atop the fortified Acropolis in the central part of the city. The Parthenon on the Athenian Acropolis is dedicated to her. As the patron of craft and weaving, Athena was known as Ergane. Athena was also a warrior goddess, and was believed to lead soldiers into battle as Athena Promachos. In ancient Greek literature, Athena is portrayed as the astute companion of heroes and as the patron goddess of heroic endeavour; in the Odyssey, she is the divine counselor to Odysseus, and she was believed to have also aided the hero Perseus.

In Greek mythology, Athena was believed to have been born from the head of her father Zeus. She was known as Athena Parthenos ("Athena the Virgin"), but, in one archaic Attic myth, the god Hephaestus tried and failed to rape her, resulting in Gaia giving birth to Erichthonius. In the founding myth of Athens, Athena bested Poseidon in a competition over patronage of the city by creating the first olive tree. Along with Aphrodite and Hera, Athena was one of the three goddesses whose feud resulted in the beginning of the Trojan War.

Related Colony

Common Rituals

Armilustrium: Shared with Apollo, Ares, and Artemis, this holiday is a blatant celebration of war and warriors in all forms. The festival is a week-long affair that occurs in mid-July, with commemorations centered primarily on Picon, the home of the Colonial Fleet. There is a seemingly endless parade of the best and the brightest among the Fleet, including almost all of its display units. Drill teams, demo units, and formation flights are staples of the day, as are expos of both the latest and the most historically significant military gear. (This also serves as something of a recruitment drive, as well, and allows the tax-payers to see exactly where their money is being spent.)

The highlight of the event is the formation flyover by the Colonial Knights, weaving colored streams of smoke through the air. This serves as the commencement of Armilustrium Games, in which athletes from both branches of the Colonial Fleet and the police forces of all the Colonial worlds compete. These games are dedicated solely to the military arts — fencing, wrestling, archery, etc. Those who triumph can expect their names to go down in history — and to have their images splashed across cornflakes boxes all over the star system.

Cults and Sects

Hymn

Only-Begotten, noble race of Jove,
Blessed and fierce, who joy'st in caves to rove:
O, warlike Pallas, whose illustrious kind,
Ineffable and effable we find:
Magnanimous and fam'd, the rocky height,
And groves, and shady mountains thee delight:
In arms rejoicing, who with Furies dire
And wild, the souls of mortals dost inspire.
Gymnastic virgin of terrific mind,
Dire Gorgons bane, unmarried, blessed, kind:
Mother of arts, imperious; understood,
Rage to the wicked, wisdom to the good:
Female and male, the arts of war are thine,
Fanatic, much-form'd dragoness, divine:
O'er the Phlegrean giants rous'd to ire,
Thy coursers driving, with destruction dire.
Sprung from the head of Jove, of splendid mien,
Purger of evils, all-victorious queen.
Hear me, O Goddess, when to thee I pray,
With supplicating voice both night and day,
And in my latest hour, peace and health,
Propitious times, and necessary wealth,
And, ever present, be thy vot'ries aid,
O, much implor'd, art's parent, blue eyed maid.